What's On

In this era of Post-Truth Politics, does lying need to be disguised anymore?  Is the notion of truth a reality or only a perception? In POLYGRAPH, truth is on trial just as it is in our current political landscape.

POLYGRAPH is a play noir: part metaphysical thriller, part murder mystery and part love story. Based on a series of interwoven true stories, the story unfolds as personal and political perspectives shift.

Following the brutal murder of a young woman, police suspicion rests on one of her close friends: Francois, a student of political science. Six years later, during the making of a film about the incident, Francois meets Lucie, an actress, and David, a criminologist in charge of polygraph examinations. Together, they uncover a series of unanswered questions with dire implications for everyone involved.

Written by the globally-acclaimed director, playwright and actor, Robert Lepage and Marie Brassard and presented by the physically dynamic, boundary-pushing OpticNerve Performance Group, POLYGRAPH has been transformed to reflect the perception of our changing global reality.

One of Melbourne's most celebrated independent theatre ensembles, OpticNerve is committed to theatrical research; the investigation of performance-making processes, the adapting of narratives from other media to the stage and the re‐visioning of original texts. In search of a dynamic, text-based physical theatre, its vision is to push the boundaries of theatrical form. The final product is an experience where the audience is listening to a coherent and literary narrative but is seeing an altered world through the action of the actors.

The Company’s earlier work includes: the sold-out season of THE MILL ON THE FLOSS (Theatre Works 2016), the staging of a 19th century novel by George Eliot that spans decades and weaves through devastated fortunes and floods; Five Kinds of Silence, a radio play by Shelagh Stephenson re‐worked for the stage; YES, based on a film by Sally Potter; and Pale Blue Dot, an original work as part of Malthouse’s 2012 Helium season.

“Tanya Gerstle would have to be one of Australia’s most visionary and under-celebrated directors.”                                  BRYCE IVES, Artistic Director - Theatre Works

★★★★½ “Tanya Gerstle directs a remarkable ensemble cast to perfection: Acting with such synergy and craft could happily grace the stage at any arts festival in the world; you will be humbled and grateful to have experienced it live.” – THE AGE on MILL ON THE FLOSS

★★★★½ “The Mill and the Floss is a beguiling piece of poetic melancholy – a delicious treat for theatre goers to devour and for literary buffs to treasure – definitely not to be missed!” – ARTS HUB on THE MILL ON THE FLOSS

“There can be no doubt that Polygraph is an amazing work. Conceptually it is spectacular. The action never lets up and there are surprises from beginning to end - immerse yourself in all its nuances and twists.” – BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE